But the Foreign Office has now confirmed that the alleged killers were travelling on fake documents.

Here are profiles of the real people whose identities were used in the plot.

Gail Folliard, Born 16/04/1976, Ireland.

With her blonde hair and striking looks "Miss Folliard" from Ireland was the only female member of the 11 strong assassination team alleged to have carried out the hit on Hamas chief Mahmoud Mabhouh. Her involvement immediately drew comparisons with the 1998 film Ronin starring Natasha McElhone which featured a female Irish terrorist assembling a team of ruthless assassins. But within hours of the Dubai authorities releasing Miss Folliard's name, date of birth and passport details, it had emerged that no such person existed. The Irish authorities insisted they had never issued a passport to a person of that name and even pointed out that the passport number provided did not fit the correct format. The other two Irish names on the list, Kevin Daveron and Evan Dennings are also thought not to exist and no documents have ever been issued in their names.

According to the authorities in Dubai, Briton Paul Keeley was one of the team of 11 assassins. But when the Daily Telegraph tracked down a Paul Keeley whose details matched those provided, to his home in Israel, he explained his identity had been stolen by those responsible. Originally from Yalding near Maidstone, he moved to Israel around 15-years ago. A self-employed builder, he began living and working at the Naehsholim Hof Kibbutz north of Tel Aviv. He married his Israeli girlfriend Sifa and the couple have two children aged 12 and seven. He also has a 22-year-old son from a previous relationship who lives in the UK. His parents still live in Maidstone but visit him in Israel regularly. The last time they were there was a fortnight ago. Mr Keeley said he has not left Israel since 2008 when he and his family went on a trip to Turkey organised by his Kibbutz.

Melvyn Adam Mildiner, Born 01/04/1978, United Kingdom

Melvyn Mildiner was also alleged to have been involved in the hit on the Hamas chief, but said he was bewildered when he heard his name had been connected. Born in Stepney, East London in 1978, he emigrated to Israel several years ago. He now lives near Jerusalem and insists he has never travelled to Dubai. He first became aware that his name had been implicated in the killing of Mahmoud Mabhouh when journalists contacted him at home. The 32-year-old said he was still in possession of his passport and had not left the country this year. He said: "I'm looking into what I can do to try to sort things out and clear my name. I don't know how this happened or who chose my name or why, but hopefully we'll find out soon." While the name and passport number released by the Dubai authorities were correct, his date of birth was out by a couple of days he claimed.

Jonathan Louis Graham, Born 22/2/1978, United Kingdom

The assassins also appear to have used the identity of Briton Jonathan Graham as cover for the attack. Originally from Borehamwood in Hertfordshire Mr Graham moved to Israel three or four years ago. An IT worker he is married with two young children. While in the UK he and his family were regular worshippers at the Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue near their home. Neighbours remembered them as devoutly religious and very good members of the community. Mr Graham's parents David and Jacqueline followed their son to Israel around two years ago and have also settled there.

Stephen Daniel Hodes, Born 24/4/1972, United Kingdom

Stephen Hodes, who was born in Salford, moved to Israel more than a decade ago. But his details were also allegedly used by those planning the attack on Mahmoud Mabhouh. Educated at Grammar school in Manchester, Mr Hodes qualified as a physiotherapist and now works at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. According to his Friends Reunited page he also acts as physiotherapist for a leading Basketball team in the city. Married with two children, his parents also moved to Israel to be near the rest of the family, several years ago.

Michael Lawrence Barney, Born 13/6/1955, United Kingdom

Michael Barney was born and brought up in Jewish community of Stoke Newington in North London. He moved to Israel many years ago where he now lives with his family. He has one brother Philip, who has also emigrated to the Jewish State. His details, including name and date of birth were both correct according to the information released by the Israelis but it is not known if the picture bears any resemblance to him.

James Leonard Clarke, Born 23/09/1962, United Kingdom

James Clarke was born in Horsham, East Sussex, and lived at various addresses in Brighton and Hove before eventually leaving the UK and moving to Israel. Neighbours at his former flat in Brighton confirmed that he had lived there but had left the south coast City some years ago and had not been seen since. It is not known where in Israel he now resides. Again the details used on the fake passport appear to be accurate but it is not known how the assassins gained the information.